ZW$500m for free sanitary wear

The government has proposed to allocate about ZW$500 million towards the distribution of free sanitary wear for school going girls.

Sanitary is largely expensive in Zimbabwe and is beyond the reach of many girls especially those from less privileged communities and homes.

This has seen the girls looking for alternatives such as cow dung, leaves and rags which puts them at risk of contracting among other diseases.

Girls, were reportedly losing important school time when they are having menstrual periods due to lack of the sanitary wear which ended up putting them at a disadvantage compared to the boy child.

Realising the plight of the girls, legislators took it upon themselves to demand that government provide the pads to school girls.

Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube heeded the call and allocated about ZW$200 million towards the cause.

This year, the minister has increased the budget allocation to about ZW$500 million.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Mthuli Ncube said acknowledged the challenges and set aside some fund.

“The government acknowledges the plight of the girl-child during these difficult times and commends initiatives to reduce their burden.

“As such, the government will continue to collaborate with development partners, the private sector and civil society in providing sanitary wear to female learners from vulnerable households.

“The 2021 budget, therefore allocates ZW$500 million for provision of sanitary wear,” he said.

However, even though the Minister has promised the fund, the girls are still to benefit from the amount allocated in the 2020 budget.

The 2020 budget was under-funded reportedly because most of the funds were diverted to the COVID-19 response.

Zimbabwe has about three companies that manufacture sanitary wear, however, they largely blame low production to the operating environment where they have to import the majority of their raw materials from China.